Staff Reports
A third teenage suspect in the string of vandalism and thefts that occurred in Columbus overnight Friday into Saturday has been located and detained, Columbus police said.
The 16-year-old juvenile was taken into custody by Columbus Police Department detectives Sunday afternoon and transported to the Bartholomew County Youth Services Center, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
Three 16-year-old juveniles are accused of extensive spray-paint vandalism and thefts from vehicles Friday night into Saturday morning in downtown Columbus, and in an area north of 25th Street in the 2500 to 2700 block of Pearl Street and nearby Lafayette Avenue.
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The spray paint included racist and homophobic graffiti, profanity and references to COVID-19, among other messages, police said.
Police said Saturday they were able to identify the three 16-year-olds from what was described as “a ton” of tips from the public about the extensive damage, which involved the juveniles using spray-paint to damage homes, churches, schools, businesses, sculptures and vehicles, police said.
Some of the tips from the public included video and photos of the three teens traveling down alleyways in the downtown area, unaware that much of the area has security cameras, including cameras that were installed by the city.
One social media image that was shared with police showed three teens walking down a downtown alley, one carrying a spray paint can in his hand while another attempts to open a vehicle door.
The damage includes at least 50 separate incidents of vandalism, although Harris said Columbus police were continuing to receive more reports on Sunday from the public.
Police have not released a damage estimate yet as they continue to collect reports, Harris said.
In downtown Columbus, there was paint sprayed on the iconic Large Arch in front of the Bartholomew County Public Library, and there reports of damage to churches, funeral homes and schools. The wall surrounding the Inn at Irwin Gardens was spray-painted with a COVID-19 reference.
In addition to spray-painting vehicles, the juveniles are also accused of breaking into cars and taking items, and in at least one case are accused of spray-painting the inside of one expensive car after breaking into it.
Referencing the spray-painted slurs and profanity on homes and public buildings, Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop issued a statement Saturday saying he wanted to make it clear that “hate in any form is neither accepted, wanted nor tolerated in Columbus, Indiana. This unacceptable turn of events is further evidence of our need to unite as a community. We are all in this together. If this behavior does nothing more, I hope it encourages honest and frank dialogue about the need for our community to set aside differences and come together as neighbors because it’s the right thing to do.”
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Anyone who had items stolen from cars, or vandalism from spray-paint to homes, buildings or vehicles, overnight from Friday to Saturday is urged to call the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2600 to report it. The police wish to have a report of all damage, even if the damage from spray paint has already been cleaned up.
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